WASHINGTON — Gen. David Petraeus cautiously endorsed President Barack Obama’s exit plan for the Afghan war on Tuesday, but left himself room to recommend changes or delays as he interviewed for the job of commander of the stalemated war.
Petraeus, the emergency replacement following the sacking of the previous commander, told a Senate panel that Obama wants him to provide unvarnished military advice. Petraeus has previously said that he would recommend putting off any large-scale withdrawal if security conditions in Afghanistan can’t sustain it.
Obama has announced that some U.S. forces will begin coming home next summer.
Petraeus reminded the Senate Armed Services Committee that the president has said the plan to bring some forces home in July 2011 isn’t a rush for the exits. In his opening remarks, Petraeus did not explicitly endorse the withdrawal plan, although he has done so before.
He said the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan is “enduring,” and that it will be years before the Afghan security forces can fully take over.
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